This Why Files article looks at tsunamis in the wake of the July 17, 1998 disaster in Papua New Guinea that killed over a thousand people. Topics covered are: the causes of tsunamis, tsunami movement across the ocean, the history of some killer tsunamis of the last few hundred years, and ways to reduce human vulnerability to tsunamis. Readers can download a movie about how investigators think the ... Full description.

At this site, users can read and view pictures and videos that explain the mechanisms that trigger tsunamis, how they travel across great distances of the ocean, and what damage they cause. Full description.

A general introduction to tsunamis including information about the mechanisms of tsunami generation and propagation, the impact of tsunamis on humankind, and the Tsunami Warning System. Sections include information on what tsunami means, how earthquakes, landslides, volcanic eruptions and meteorites generate tsunamis, and what happens when a tsunami approaches and encounters land. Also included is ... Full description.

This resource discusses the relationship between earthquakes and tsunamis, and the connection between the shape of the ocean bottom and the height of the waves. The article is supported by an animation showing the origin and conclusion of a tsunami, a video interview with a tsunami survivor, and three photographs. There are two sidebars, called 'Catching a Tsunami in the Act' and 'Remembrance of Waves ... Full description.

Long before the devastating December 2004 Indian Ocean event, tsunamis had already been implicated in the widespread death and destruction in Java and Sumatra following the 1883 eruption of Krakatoa. Tsunamis are also blamed for the collapse of the ancient Minoan civilization on Crete. These waves are capable of overrunning almost any coastline in the world and exacting a serious toll on both property ... Full description.

This radio broadcast examines the environmental and ecological impacts of the tsunami that hit Southeast Asia on December 26, 2004. From coral reefs, to fish populations, to coastal habitat, how was the environment affected? And how might that affect the recovery of the people in the region? Plus, anectdotal reports suggest that most large mammals in the area escaped harm. There is discussion with ... Full description.

In this activity, students study seismograms from three different seismic stations that recorded the magnitude 9.0 Sumatra earthquake of December 26, 2004. By comparing the arrival times of the P and S waves on each seismogram, they can determine the distance from the epicenter to each station and accurately map its location. Using this information, they also calculate the position of the quake-generated ... Full description.

This scenario-based learning experience tells the story of four main characters at different locations in the Pacific basin who are each impacted by a major tsunami that originates in Alaska?s Aleutian Islands. Over the course of the story, students not only learn about the unfolding events and how each of the characters respond, but also take 14 short lessons on the science, safety, and history of ... Full description.

This portal, published by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), provides links to an extensive set of resources on tsunamis, both worldwide and in the United States. There are links to basic information, news articles, information on the Sumatran tsunami of December 26, 2004, and to a section on the role of NOAA in tsunami forecasting and preparedness. Other links access information ... Full description.

This program of the Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory seeks to mitigate tsunami hazards in Hawaii, California, Oregon, Washington, and Alaska. Research and development activities focus on an integrated approach to improving tsunami warning and mitigation. The website contains realtime and modeled data from several monitoring stations in the Pacific Ocean. Animated simulations illustrate the ... Full description.